Running-gear for automobiles.



No. 685,087. Patented oct. 22, 190|.

F. L. BALcoM.

`RUNNING GEAR FOR AUTOMOBILES.

(Application med mf. as; 1901. (No Model.)

No. 685,087. Patented oct. 2,2, |901.

' F. L. BALcom.

RUNNING GEAR FOR' AUTUM'OBILES.

2 Sheets-Shed 2.

(Application Bled um'. 23, 1901.)

v (No Model.)

EEEEE UNITED ASTATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK L. BALCOMB, `OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS.

RUNNING-GEAR FOR AUTOMOBILES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters :Patent No. 68 5,087, dated October ,22, 1901.

Application iiled March 23, 1901. Serial No. 52,554. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK L. BALCOMB, a citizen of the United States,residing at Salem, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Running-Gear Frames for Automobiles, ofwhich the following is a specication.

This invention relates to improvements in running-gear frames for automobiles, and it is carried out as follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l represents a side elevation of an automobile provided with my improved running-gear frame. Fig. 2 represents a top plan View of Fig. 1, showing the body portion removed. Fig. 3 represents a rear view of Fig. l. Fig. 4 represents a front elevation of Fig. l, and Fig. 5 represents an enlarged crosssection on the line 5 5, shown in Fig. 4.

Similar letters refer to similar parts wherever they occur on the different parts of the drawings.

Running-gear frames for automobiles have heretofore been made of wrought-iron tubings braced together, such frames being objectionable on account of liability to breakage at the joints where the parts are brazed together; and to prevent such danger of breakage and at the same time simplify the construction of the running-gear frame is the object of my invention, which is constructed as follows:-

A, Figs. l, 3, and 4, .represents the body of the automobile, as usual having secured to the under side of its rear portion the elliptic springs B B, as usual secured to the rear running-gear frame.

To the under side of the forward portion of the automobile is secured the elliptic spring C in the ordinary manner.

The running-gear frame for the front portion of the automobile is shown in Figs. l, 2,

4, and 5, and it is composed of a single piece of metal, preferably a casting, of iron, steel, or bronze, having a horizontal portion D and a curved truss portion D', cast or forged in one single piece, as shown in Fig. 4. In practice I prefer to make the cross-section of said part I-shaped, as shown in Fig. gbutI do not wish to confine myself to such exact sectional shape, as it may be made l-shaped or otherwise -without departing from the essence of my invention.

The front running-gear frame has its ends constructed in a bifurcated manner, and within each bifurcated end is pivotally mounted, by means of the pins D2, the knuckles F, to which the front wheels E are connected.

G represents the rear running-gear frame, made of a single piece of metal, preferably a casting, of iron, steel, or bronze, and is preferably made of a sectional shape, like the front running-gear frame.

The reference-letters I-I H denote a pair of bearings or boxes for the rear axle K. These bearings or boxes H are formed integral with the ends of the metal frame or arch-bar G. Depending from each of the bearings or boxes H is a pair of ears H', the Vfunction of which will be hereinafter described.

The reference-letter G denotes a pair of downwardly-extending hangers, each having at its lower end an integral bearing or box I, engaging the rear axle K approximately centrally thereof. Depending from each of the boxes or bearings I is a collar I', which are adapted to receive and retain in position the upper end of the vertical brace-rods I2. The lower ends of the brace-rods I2 are or may .be formed integral with the truss-rod I3,which hasits` ends secured to the ears I-I of the bearings or boxes H.

M Mare the perches, connected to the front and rear frames in any suitable or desirable manner. On the said porches M M are secured adjustable clamps N N, connected, by means of bracelrods O O, to the bearing portions H H of the rear frame, as shown in the drawings. N N" are similar adjustable clamps secured to the perches M M and connected, by means of brace-rods O O', to the front bearing-frame of the running-gear.

What I wish to secure by Letters Patent and claim isl. In a running-gear for vehicles, a frame for supporting the rear axle, consisting of a suitably-shaped bar, axle bearings or boxes integral with the ends of said bar, a pair of hangers integral with the said bar, and. axle bearings or boxes integral with the said hang ers.

2. In a running-gear for vehicles, a frame for supporting the rear axle, consisting of a suitably-shaped bar, axle bearings or boxes integral with the ends of said bar, a pair of hangers integral with the said bar, axle bearings or boxes integral with said hangers, ears integral with the end bearings or boxes, co1- lars integral with the bearings or boxes supported by the hangers, a truss-rod having its ends secured to the said ears, and brace-rods engaging in said collars and said truss-rod.

3. In a running-gear for vehicles, a frame for supporting the rear axle, consisting of a suitably-shaped bar, axle bearings or boxes connected with the ends of said bar, a pair of hangers connected with the said bar, axle bearings or boxes connected with lhe said t5 hangers, a truss-rod connected with said end bearings or boxes, and vertical brace-rods connected with said bearings or boxes supported by said hangers and with the said truss-rod.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subserbingwitnesses.

FRANK L. B ALCOMB.

XVitnesses:

ALBAN ANDREN, ELIZABETH A. BALooMB. 

